Welcome to LUSS – Lancaster University Speleological Society!
Lancaster’s home for underground adventure since 1967.
LUSS has a rich legacy as one of the UK’s most prestigious university caving clubs. In our heyday, we were pioneers of exploration in the Yorkshire Dales, the Picos de Europa in Spain (where we reached depths of 1169 m in Sima 56), Venezuela, and beyond. Alongside major expeditions, the club produced scientific work and published respected journals, with survey maps still available via the Cavemapper website. Alumni include notable figures like Colin Boothroyd, Dave Checkley, and Mel Gascoyne, and the club was mentored by the legendary Dick Glover.
But enough about the past — LUSS is alive and kicking today, and we're looking for new members of all experience levels!
Whether you're completely new to caving or a seasoned explorer, there's a place for you here. We offer a wide range of trips led by trained and experienced leaders, exploring caves mainly in the Yorkshire Dales.
Beginner-friendly trips: Gentle, mostly walking trips into incredible underground spaces — perfect for those who want to give caving a go but arent to fond of tight crawls
Intermediate trips: Add a bit of crawling, scrambling, and adventure into the mix.
Advanced & SRT trips: For those who want more challenge — vertical cave systems, ropework (Single Rope Technique), and technical descents.
Outside of the caves, we’re a tight-knit community. Expect regular socials, from chill pub nights and caving talks to bouldering sessions and ice skating in winter.
Come along to one of our beginner sessions during Freshers’ Week to see what we're all about!
No gear or experience required — just a sense of adventure.
Find us on Facebook: Lancaster University Speleological Society
Find us on Instagram: @luss_caving
Any questions at all dont hesitate to dm us on instagram!
Click here to view terms and conditions
By joining this group basic information such as name, email and date of birth will be made available to the organisers of the group. Next of Kin details may also be provided if part of the registration. Anonymised demographic information of the group’s membership will be used to improve activity but will not identify any individual.